Ascension Mission

Reading:

If someone has not learned to stop and admire something beautiful, we should not be surprised if he or she treats everything as an object to be used and abused without scruple. If we want to bring about deep change, we need to realize that certain mindsets really do influence our behavior. Our efforts at education will be inadequate and ineffectual unless we strive to promote a new way of thinking about human beings, life, society and our relationship with nature.

— Pope Francis
(Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, #215)

Reflection:

• In what ways can you - or do you - extend care for God’s creation of the world?
• How would you describe your relationship with nature? How does that relationship influence your day-to-day choices?

Actions:

Visit a place in nature and fix your gaze on the surroundings. Give praise for the wonder of God’s earthly creation.

Help develop an awareness of the beauty of nature among your associates. If one exists, encourage them (along with patients and families) to experience the restorative properties of your building’s healing garden or green spaces near your facility.

Examine your participation in the recycle - reuse - reduce - repurpose cycle. What more could you do to increase participation in this cycle in your home, workplace, and community?

Participate in or organize an Earth Day activity in your area.

Prayer:

God of creation, you have made me to be a protector of our precious earthly resources of air, water, soil and forest. Give me the grace to see your creation — the Earth, the animals, and all human beings — as sacred. Help me to walk gently upon the Earth and care for all living things with reverence and dignity.
Amen.